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Special Features
Bikes, Barges and Train Excursions (Part 1)
©April 2005 by Peter Lynn
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Western Maryland Scenic Railroad
: Maryland
Area Mountain Bike Trails: Maryland
Recapture the romance of the railroad’s golden era on the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad (formerly the Cumberalnd & Pennsylvania Railroad). Restored early 20th century rail cars and locomotives take you on a 32 mile, 3 1/2 hour scenic excursion through the spectacular Allegheny mountains of western Maryland.
Travel through the Narrows, Helmstetter’s Curve, Brush Tunnel and Woodcock Hollow. Narrators provide commentary on local scenic attractions, history and culture. A gift shop and snack bar are located onboard. There is a layover in Frostburg for lunch, where you can watch the turntable in action from decks leading up to Main Street. Specialty excursions include a North Pole Express, Santa Express, Murder Mystery Train with dinner, cash bar and entertainment, and riding in the caboose or cab of the locomotive. The railroad runs May-December.
Cumberland and Frostburg both have lively main streets with shops, cafes and restaurants. Western Maryland Station (1913) in Cumberland is home to the ticket office, gift shop, shops at Canal Place Heritage Area, C & O Canal Museum and new National Park Service Visitor Center. The C & O Canal’s western terminus is here in Cumberland. At the Frostburg Depot (1891) lunch at a local café, shop and watch as the engines are turned around on the turntable for the trip back.
Contact information:
Western Maryland Scenic Railroad
113 Canal Street
Cumberland, MD 21502
Phone: 301-759-4400 or
800-872-4650
Website: Western Maryland Scenic Railroad |
